If you are in need of hiring remote developers but you are unsure whether to acquire the services of freelancers or opt-in for dedicated development teams, this post may bring some light on the issue. Of course, the choice depends on your project requirements, budget, time constraints and quality standards, but it’s essential to find out more about both options and how they compare in order to make the right decision. In the first place, let’s understand how a freelancer and a dedicated developer work.

• Freelancers are typically hired to complete a specific, short-term project. The relationship you build with them is defined by a timeframe and precise requirements. You should know that they may work for multiple clients at one time, so their time is split between various project and jobs seeking. You can find freelancers with specific skills and expertise, and also full-stack developers at very affordable prices. Recruitments websites like Fiverr and Upwork are places where you can find ones to choose from. Be sure you check for reviews before hiring them to avoid negative surprises.
• Dedicated Development Teams typically work for a software company on a full-time basis, and they are more suitable for long-term projects. They are being assigned to certain projects by the project managers and team leaders based on their skills, expertise and the client’s requirements. They are already vetted by their employers, which is a great perk. In addition, the company that hires them takes on a good amount of the risk that goes into hiring a candidate.  Dedicated teams also allow for highly skilled and certified developers that focus solely on your project at a competitive price.

Still not sure what is the right choice for you and your business? Let’s take a look at how dedicated software development team and freelance software programmers compare at five key points.

1. Expertise

Freelance software developers have expertise in certain technologies and possess a specific, limited set of skills. So, you must know what qualifications do you want your freelancer to have, in order to be the appropriate choice for your type of project. In comparison, a software development company will do that selection work for you, and recommend you the developer(s) with the skillset you need. A software development company employs developers with a wide range of skills and degrees of experience to cover up all your development needs. The developers that will be assigned to work for your project have already been through the testing required for the hiring process, so they are vetted to be worthy of completing your project! Freelancers can be excellent developers too, but take no risks and check their activity, background, and reviews before signing the deal.

A software development company can make available for you a team formed up of developers with various degrees of expertise: junior, experienced and senior. They provide full-cycle software development, and they are equipped to handle the end-to-end delivery of mid- to large-scale projects that span multiple technologies and disciplines. Also, they may provide you additional support for your projects with design and marketing. Nowadays, software development companies employ UX experts, designers, SEO, and online marketing specialists that can provide added value to your business. They know what challenges the business is facing in other areas, such as sales and marketing, and can offer potential solutions or fixes. Summed up, in terms of expertise, a dedicated development team has the manpower and the infrastructure you need, which a solo freelancer is unable to provide.

2. Security

Clarisoft Technologies, like all top software development companies, takes strict security measures and sign Non-Disclosure Agreements to ensure the confidentiality of all your intellectual property, code, and data. When hiring freelancers you must be sure that they will respect the security of your information. Even though that doesn’t happen too often, a freelancer can quit the job in the middle of it. Take additional security to make sure you will get your work done.  You must know that an established company isn’t going anywhere – can’t dry up overnight and disappear. If a developer quits, someone with similar abilities will replace him. So it’s quite safer with development teams. 

3. Quality & Commitment

Freelancers usually work for themselves and earning enough for a living. This is why, most of the times, they work for more clients and projects at a time. And this might get chaotic for them. If you want full attention for your software project, be sure you discuss availability with them from the beginning. In comparison, dedicated teams represent the interest of their company. That is to deliver high-quality software development service, to make long-term clients and build a solid portfolio. Their reputation depends on providing sustainable systems. So, the dedicated teams will offer you their undivided attention.

If you want to hire someone that is able to take projects with none or little preparation and get straight to business by skipping the design and development phase, you should hire a freelancer. In contrast, dedicated teams follow the right processes: they start with design and development phase. The advantage is they get to know not just your project, but also your company and your vision. If you have a long-term project and complex demands, the dedicated teams might be the better option for you. 

Also, you have to take into account that development companies offer support for product development, while a freelancer’s job ends when the project ends. A dedicated team will assume responsibility for the faith of the software projects and will ensure they develop a flawless, high-end product.

4. Communication

A respectful software development company provides customers with real-time project management software and solutions. Hence, you will benefit from regular updates about the status of the project, progress tracking and bug tracking with the help of weekly meetings and conversations. Also,  you can track the record of your software development project through Scrum software. Probably, most of the times you will talk with a project manager. When working with freelancers, you’ll have to manage one to one interactions. If there are more developers working on your project, located in different parts of the globe, coordination and proper communication will face some difficulties. So, if you need more than one developer working on your project, you’d better think about hiring dedicated teams.

If you have a complex project, a dedicated developers will provide in-time solutions for your requirements, while a freelancer has limited resources. A dedicated developer that you have hired from the agency will always be ready to work for you anytime. The availability of a freelancer is uncertain besides what’s on the contract. Keep in mind that freelancers take short-term clients, through dedicated teams software companies want to build long-term partnerships.

5. Price

To hire dedicated development teams it is much expensive than hiring freelancers. Most of the times, freelancers underbid software dedicated development teams on the project. So if you want to go for the cheapest solutions, opt for a freelancer. Also, take into consideration a software company won’t bid on projects that have no defined scope or project documentation. Freelancers take projects with a smaller budget. So, if you are on a limited budget and you have a less, complex, short-term project a freelancer would definitely do the work for you. If your project is bigger, got some budget and you want guaranteed high-quality and absolute commitment go for dedicated development teams.  

If you think that  dedicated software development teams might fit your needs,  contact us for a free quote.